Ask Joshua: Are Entertainment Centers Outdated?
Hi Joshua,
My husband and I have lived in our home for a little over 30 years, and now that our youngest child has finally moved out, we've decided it's time to give our house some much-needed updates. Other than a few small changes over the years, we really haven't renovated much since we first moved in.
One thing we're debating is our built-in entertainment center. It's large, bulky, and takes up quite a bit of space in our family room. We've received mixed opinions from realtors, friends, and family members. Some say entertainment centers are outdated and should be removed, while others say they can still add value and functionality to a home.
Before we make a final decision, we'd love your perspective. Should we remove the entertainment center altogether, or is it worth updating and incorporating into our renovation plans?
Thank you,
Diane - Bakersfield, California
This Scandinavian Glam style family room, including the custom built-in entertainment center, was designed by virtual interior designer Joshua Jones of JJones Design Co. 3D rendering by Stuccco.
Hi Diane,
Congratulations on reaching such an exciting milestone! An empty nest often inspires homeowners to take a fresh look at their home and make updates that better fit their current lifestyle.
The short answer is that entertainment centers are not necessarily outdated, but many older built-in entertainment centers no longer function the way they once did.
When many of these built-ins were designed 20 to 30 years ago, they were built around large tube televisions, VHS collections, DVD collections, stereo systems, speakers, and other electronics that required significant storage. Today's televisions are much larger yet much slimmer, and most people stream movies, television shows, and music rather than storing physical media. Audio equipment has also evolved, with many systems requiring far less space than the bulky components of the past. As a result, some entertainment centers can feel oversized for the way we live today.
That said, I would not automatically remove your entertainment center simply because someone says it is outdated. Instead, I would evaluate how well it serves your family's needs today.
If the built-in provides useful storage, is well constructed, and fits the scale of the room, it may be worth updating rather than removing. A fresh coat of paint, new cabinet doors, updated hardware, improved lighting, or modifications to accommodate a larger television can often make an older entertainment center feel much more current.
On the other hand, if the unit overwhelms the room, makes the space feel dark, or contains large sections that are no longer useful, removing it may create a more open and flexible layout. Many homeowners today prefer a simpler media console, floating cabinetry, or a custom media wall that provides storage without feeling as heavy.
In many homes I visit, I often find that large entertainment centers are no longer being used as originally intended. The shelves that once held VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, stereo components, and other electronics are now partially empty or filled with decorative objects. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it can be a sign that the unit may be larger than what the homeowner actually needs today.
As for home value, I would not view an entertainment center as a major selling feature or a major drawback. Buyers are generally more concerned with the overall condition, functionality, and appearance of the home. A well-designed room will almost always have more appeal than a room that feels dated, regardless of whether it contains an entertainment center.
My recommendation would be to look at the entertainment center honestly and ask one simple question: Is it serving your needs today, or is it taking up space because it has always been there?
The answer to that question will usually tell you whether it deserves a thoughtful update or a complete removal.
Warmly,
Joshua Jones
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